Eliminate the positive

Ports never hold lead in series as they are swept for 12th time

STOCKTON - Despite finding themselves facing a six-run deficit midway through Sunday's game at Stockton Ballpark, the Stockton Ports nearly rallied against the San Jose Giants in their final matchup this season.

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By Kevin Niendorf

recordnet.com

By Kevin Niendorf

Posted Aug. 20, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By Kevin Niendorf

Posted Aug. 20, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Today's game

Nuts at PortsFirst pitch: 7:05 p.m., Stockton Ballpark

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Today's game

Nuts at Ports

First pitch: 7:05 p.m., Stockton Ballpark

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STOCKTON - Despite finding themselves facing a six-run deficit midway through Sunday's game at Stockton Ballpark, the Stockton Ports nearly rallied against the San Jose Giants in their final matchup this season.

That was the closest thing to a bright spot - or a lead - the Ports have had in quite a while.

A crowd of 1,995 saw Stockton's losing streak reach seven games with a 10-6 defeat. San Jose's Jarrett Parker hit a grand slam in the fifth inning and the Giants added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to finish off a three-game sweep in which they never trailed.

It marked the 12th time California League opponents have swept Stockton this season. In contrast, the Ports (19-36 second half, 47-78 overall) have swept two opponents. Stockton begins its final 15 games of the season tonight with a four-game homestand against Modesto.

Ryan Ortiz, whose eighth-inning home run pulled the Ports to within 7-6, said it was difficult to see another potential win slip away.

"We ran hard to get back in it and rallied to put ourselves in a good situation," said Ortiz, who scored three times. "We didn't give up, but those walks (in the ninth inning) killed us. But we also made some mistakes in the beginning of the game."

Stockton reliever Jonathan Joseph entered in the final inning and quickly loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batsman. A sacrifice fly and a double gave San Jose the final cushion it needed.

The Giants (29-26, 67-58) have won 14 of their past 19 games, averaging more than seven runs per game during that stretch, and won the season series against the Ports 14-10. After San Jose scored a run in the top of the first, Giants starter Justin Schumer kept the Ports at bay by allowing one hit through his first 15 batters.

After Parker's grand slam gave the Giants a 6-0 lead, Schumer hit two Ports in the bottom of the fifth to start Stockton's rally. Ortiz, Michael Gilmartin and Ryan Pineda scored on Chad Oberacker's bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by Dusty Robinson to cut San Jose's lead to 6-3.

The Ports' rally continued in the sixth when a two-run double by Pineda cut the lead to 6-5, but Pineda was stranded at second when Oberacker grounded out.

San Jose's Adam Duvall provided an insurance run in the seventh inning with a solo home run, his franchise record 28th of the season, over the left-field fence.

Stockton starter Nate Long (4-2) took the loss after allowing five hits, four walks, four runs and collecting three strikeouts. Shawn Sanford (6-8) was credited for the win.